Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Forest Hotel

by Margo on October 2, 2009

I wouldn't have minded wearing something just like society girl Madame Lucien Lelong (née Princess Nathalie Paley) wears here

I wonder what it would have been like to have been at the February 1930 opening of the renowned Ocean Forest Hotel in Myrtle Beach. The hotel was demolished in 1974, leaving behind only memories in many locals’ hearts of what was once regarded as the grandest hotel on the East Coast between New York and Miami.

Famous politicians, dignitaries and Hollywood glitterati came from far and wide to stay at this haven for the prosperous traveler. Some say the imposing ten story structure, built on a high dune with its two five story wings resembled an elaborate wedding cake. Chandeliers of Czechoslovakian crystal, resplendent marble stairways and columns, and sprawling oriental rugs graced the interior.

I like to imagine the well-heeled guests of the era of Gershwin and Garbo dancing the night away to lively jazz and the big band sounds of Duke Ellington. No one on that enchanted evening would have spoken or even thought of the not- so- pleasant surprises the near future would bring.

Head on over to Marie’s Vintage Verve, for more Postcard Friendship Friday!

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{ 18 comments }

1 mobius October 2, 2009 at 10:36 am: Talk about your sucky timing for an opening…

It reminds me of Gatsby.
.-= mobius´s last blog ..The Problem With Being Nice =-.
2 Dutch Donut Girl October 2, 2009 at 10:39 am: Madame Lucien looks classy and elegant.

Btw, I mentioned you in my post. I hope you don’t mind?
Have a nice weekend!
.-= Dutch Donut Girl´s last blog ..How Kinky Are You? =-.
3 Sherrie October 2, 2009 at 10:50 am: Hi!
That’s a beautiful card! Looks like a great place to be, too bad it was torn down. Have a great day!

Sherrie
.-= Sherrie´s last blog ..POSTCARD FRIENDSHIP FRIDAYS =-.
4 The Mother October 2, 2009 at 11:18 am: I have often thought that I would have been perfectly happy dressing in the extravagant clothes of the twenties and thirties.

Of course, my mom would have died in childbirth, so I wouldn’t actually have survived, but you get the point.
5 postcardy October 2, 2009 at 11:22 am: I like old hotels better than new ones.
.-= postcardy´s last blog ..PFF – Oktoberfest USA, La Crosse, Wisconsin =-.
6 rosaria October 2, 2009 at 11:39 am: Lovely days and lovely diggs. This was a fun postcard.
.-= rosaria´s last blog ..Today’s Poem! =-.
7 Viridian October 2, 2009 at 1:04 pm: You know I love this era of linen postcards. So the hotel survived the ’30s but not the 70’s. Alas.
Note also that the land next to the hotel appears to be undeveloped.
.-= Viridian´s last blog ..Blogtober fest 09 =-.
8 Thom October 2, 2009 at 3:15 pm: I would like to visit there just because I’ve heard so much about Myrtle Beach. That hotel must have been wonderful
.-= Thom´s last blog ..What Decade are You?, A Truly American Commercial, a Happy Belated Birthday and a Happy Birthday =-.
9 Jane Gaston October 2, 2009 at 3:43 pm: Those were the days, I’m told. Too bad Myrtle Beach still doesn’t have some grand old hotels like that anymore. Much more pleasing on the eye, if not the pocketbook. I prefer the eye, myself.
.-= Jane Gaston´s last blog ..The Chiropractor That Never Was: Part II =-.
10 Snap October 2, 2009 at 4:09 pm: I love this card. I love cards of places that *were*, but are no longer. Nostalgia. I always wonder why some of these grand old places meet the wrecking ball.
11 phd in yogurtry October 2, 2009 at 4:26 pm: Reminds me of The Flanders, a hotel on the Ocean City Boardwalk in NJ. You can view the vintage postcard shot here (gotta scroll down a bit to see it).

http://www.westjerseyhistory.org/images/pcards/capemay/index35.shtml
12 Snap October 2, 2009 at 7:59 pm: Hi Margo,

I’ve passed an award on to You!
13 blueviolet October 2, 2009 at 9:54 pm: You brought such fun images to mind when you were describing the social scene!
14 Beth October 3, 2009 at 11:04 am: I had no idea the little town of Myrtle Beach, Oregon had such a reknowned past. My family and I performed for a group there about eight years ago. Lovely area.

Beautiful postcards! Happy PFF!
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Fairy Bread – Happy PFF! =-.
15 Chris Overstreet October 3, 2009 at 1:50 pm: Demolish this? What a crime.
.-= Chris Overstreet´s last blog ..The Art of Mia Overgaard =-.
16 Unknown Mami October 3, 2009 at 2:48 pm: Ah, history through postcards. I love it!
.-= Unknown Mami´s last blog ..Fragmented Fridays =-.
17 Heather Kephart October 3, 2009 at 10:40 pm: Beautiful. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to be alive in the days when formality reigned supreme. I don’t want to live that way, but oh what a spectacle it makes!

I’ve been watching some old movies lately and gobbling down the eye candy. The furniture. The clothing. The hair. The drama!
.-= Heather Kephart´s last blog ..A Hair Affaire =-.
18 Ann October 3, 2009 at 10:50 pm: Reminds me of the Edgewater Hotel on Chicago’s Lakefront. We lived in Edgewater for 7 years. The hotel was also very grand once. In fact, My grandmother told me she danced there at the World’s Fair in 193?

Now it’s a condo/coop and not-so-grand.
.-= Ann´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Rhonda: Let’s Cure JM =-.